Anthony Iwuoma
The Supreme Court is set to deliver judgment the cases with regard to the senatorial by-election in Imo North, otherwise known as Okigwe Zone, Imo State.
The apex court fixed Friday, February 5 for the judgement, after hearing from the contending parties, on Wednesday.
The first appeal marked: SC/971/2020, pitched Senator Ifeanyi Ararumen against Lady Uchenna Uba and four others; the second, marked: SC/971/2020, also was filed by Ararume against Chukwuma Ibezim and others.
The third appeal marked SC/1060/2020 was filed by Dr Chidimma Uwajumogu against Chukwuma Ibezim and others.
It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had returned APC as the winner of the bye-election held on December 5, 2020, for the purpose of Imo North Senatorial district.
However, the electoral umpire did not return a candidate for the party due to conflicting court decisions for and against the two main contenders from the APC fold, Ararume and Ibezim.
When the matter came up on Monday, Ahmed Raji (SAN), leading Ararume’s legal team, informed the apex court that the three appeals were on the same issue of knowing who is the authentic winner of the bye-election.
Unfortunately, the panel observed that processes were not duly served on parties and consequently adjourned to February 3.
A five-man panel of the court, led by Justice Amina Augie, heard the first appeal, of which its decision is binding on the other two appeals, before fixing February 5, for judgement.